Day 312

Of Marriage.

Chapter 25, Paragraph 3.

“… yet it is the duty of Christians to marry in the Lord;…”

Scripture Lookup

1 Corinthians 7:39

Reflection

Marriage is an institution ordained by God that is widely available to men and women.  There are few restrictions placed on who may be married: one man may only marry one woman, and vice versa. They must also be able to reasonably give their consent, and they must not be closely related. With such few regulations, there is vast freedom for humanity to choose who will be their spouse.

Christians are also subject to the same regulations concerning marriage as the rest of mankind, but they have an added command: they are to marry in the Lord. This means that a believer who wishes to marry ought to seek a spouse from among other believers. This shrinks the selection a bit, but it is a sweeter group from which to choose. To marry a fellow believer means that you will experience sanctification together. You will watch your spouse grow more Christ-like over the years. You will not be hindered in having the Lord be the center of the home. Such blessings are to be desired.

All of life is to be submitted to God’s law. Our feelings may get in the way of that, and there may be those who profess faith that desire to marry someone who is not a Christian. Sometimes the idea of marriage can be so consuming that takes a higher priority than God. Another name for that is idolatry, and that is a sin. “You shall have no other gods before Me” (Exodus 20:3). God has every right to declare what we can and cannot do. Our feelings carry no weight against the infinite, holy, and loving Creator. If you are a believer, your allegiance is to God, not your feelings. Marry in the Lord.

Questions to Consider

• Are there any circumstances in which a believer may knowingly marry an unbeliever?